Shearer knows he is a certainty for the Magpies’ manager’s job if Freddy Shepherd takes control, but is waiting for confirmation that he would be the preferred appointment of another buyer.
Fortunately for Newcastle, the BBC are putting no pressure on Shearer to make a quick decision on whether to commit himself to his Match of the Day pundit’s role next season, although they would like him on board.
And we all know Shearer's comments halfway through his eight-match run as Toon boss at the arse-end of last season when he said to the BBC: "Keep my seat warm ... I promise you ... I'll be back with the BBC next season".